It’s 2012 and the 5th season for the CGS.  It’s been 4 years of continuous improvement and development for the Caribbean Golf Society.  Members have come and gone but the CGS remains strong going into this new season. 

The opening event played at Cleobury Mortimer Golf Club in Shropshire was well attended, with 31 members and guests arriving to shake off the rust and to hopefully start their 2012 campaign with a win.

Up for grabs in the annual season opener is the “Fix-Up” Cup, a trophy donated by former member Neville Rhoden.  Along with the “Fix-Up” trophy were the usual offerings of 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes along with the Nearest the Pin and Longest drive trophies.  

Attending his second event was Keith Warmington, who will be joining the CGS for the 2012 season.  The CGS committee would like to welcome Keith and hope he enjoys the events this year. 

Once again the CGS brings a little bit of the Caribbean sunshine to its first event.  The sun was blazing as the first group teed up on the first of the 3 loops of nine at Cleobury Mortimer.  With a warm welcome from the Cleobury Mortimer club captain it would be the Foxes followed the Badgers being played today. 

The course was well laid out with plenty of bunkers and water hazards to catch those wayward shots.  The greens were in excellent condition and after putting on winter greens there were many a three putt out on the course. 

It was a challenge for most today but we all know that someone will always have a good day and post a number no one would imagine.  The early mark of 36 points was laid down by Roan McLeod, who was out in the second group.  It was said by playing partner Keith Salmon that 37 points would win it today.  That was a good guess with two 37 pointers coming in from playing partners Frank McCook and new CGS member Nigel Harris.  The two would have to be split into 2nd and 3rd after count-back with the 2nd place going to Frank. 

With the course playing to a CSS of 71, one shot more difficult than standard scratch the winning score of 41 points was an excellent round of golf.  The spoils and the “Fix-Up” trophy went to new CGS member Bob Dhammi.  The round included a birdie on the par four 10th and 22 points on his front nine holes on the Foxes course.  This was indeed a big marker laid down by Bob, whom played his first CGS event last season in the final event at Bransford.  It’s great that guests at a CGS event like it so much they become members.  Congratulations to Bob that was some excellent golf. 

The usual longest drive and nearest the pin prizes were also up for grabs.  The nearest the pin would eventually go to Ian Higgins, yet another trophy for Ian, he must have a cupboard full of nearest the pin and long drive trophies.  This year the CGS have taken to a more fair method for deciding the longest drive.  Where possible the longest drive hole will not be down to pure length but also accuracy.  A line will be drawn down the centre of the longest drive fairway and the winner will be decided by the nearest the line and furthest away.  On this occasion the prize went to Eric Queely with a longer and more accurate drive than everyone else.

The CGS tries to give to worthy causes from time to time, and over the years we have donated £200 to worthy causes.  This time a cheque for £50 was presented to CGS treasurer Linton Bell for his nominated charity of Sickle Cell.

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